News From the Archdiocese of Birmingham

We are Pilgrims of Hope!

Diocesan Jubilee Day for Youth at St Chad’s Cathedral (this Saturday) and the Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to our Lady of Lourdes, Hednesford (this Sunday)

We are pilgrims of hope!

Most people seem to have accepted this invitation given to us by Pope Francis at the end of 2024 and now continuing with Pope Leo.

The Jubilee Year is a time of the Lord’s Favour: a time of cancelling debts owed to us by others, or from one nation to another.

The Jubilee Year happens once every 25 years: a time of joy and of pilgrim journeys.

This weekend, there are Jubilee Year Pilgrimage opportunities within our own Archdiocese.

On Saturday the Kenelm Youth Trust (KYT) invites young people, Year 5 and secondary school ages and continuing through to Young Adults, for games, social time and workshops aimed at the different age groups - all on the subject of Hope.

It begins from 11am and ends with the Cathedral 4.30pm Mass as a celebration of the life of young people in the life of the Church. There is also the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation for young people.

Please see more details here and below.

If you wish to come during the day, please sign up. If you intend to come for the Mass at 4.30pm, please just come.

This Sunday, always on the first Sunday of July, all roads lead to Hednesford in South Staffordshire where there is an outdoor Mass at a replica Lourdes grotto. This grotto was built especially for those who are not able to travel to Lourdes but who share a devotion to Our Lady and St Bernadette.

Watch video invitation and see below.

The theme of healing which is associated with Lourdes is also central to the Annual Pilgrimage Mass at Hednesford as the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is incorporated into the Mass.

Arrivals from 1pm. Bring a picnic lunch, bring a folding chair or sit on the grass bank.

Confessions & Rosary. Mass at 4pm.

All part of the Jubilee Year pilgrimage experience.

Let’s be Pilgrims of Hope this weekend: at St Chad’s Cathedral on Saturday and at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Hednesford on Sunday.

Bishop Timothy Menezes

Book now with special discount code! WeBelieve Festival at St Mary's College, Oscott

Friday 25 to Monday 28 July

A celebration of Catholic life.

WeBelieve is a project created and funded by The Guild of Our Lady of Ransom in collaboration with St Mary's College, Oscott.

This festival is a bringing together of Catholic ministries and creatives from across the UK to mark the 2025 Jubilee Year, proclaimed by Pope Francis, with a celebration of Catholic life.

Archbishop Bernard and Bishop Timothy are joining the line-up, which features a diverse range of Catholic musicians, creatives and speakers, including Dr Gianna Emanuela Molla (daughter of St Gianna Molla), Fr Paul Murray, Msgr Michael Nazir-Ali, AnMari, Fr Toby Lees and many more.

SPECIAL OFFER for the Archdiocese of Birmingham

We're so grateful to be holding the WeBelieve Festival in the Archdiocese of Birmingham and we want you to know that this event is for you. The festival is for everyone but has been designed with parishes and families in mind.

If you live in the Archdiocese and want to come along, we've generated a unique discount code for you and the people of your parish! By entering the code BIRMINGHAM50 you can get a 50% discount on any festival ticket.

This Sunday: Join us at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes

Fr Jeremy Howard, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Lourdes in Hednesford, has released a short video inviting all to participate in the 2025 Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes on Sunday 6 July.

This pilgrimage, an annual event within the Archdiocese of Birmingham, provides an opportunity for prayer, reflection and community as we gather in faith at our very own grotto.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Hednesford holds special significance as a place of healing and devotion. Whether you are a returning pilgrim or joining for the first time, this journey is a chance to deepen your spiritual life and ask for Our Lady’s intercession.

Let us walk together in faith and prayer. We hope to see you there.

Pilgrims are asked to please bring your own chairs.

All servers are welcome to bring their vestments and serve at the 4pm Mass.

Sign up for Adorare

A night of Encounter, Praise and Worship for Young Adults. Friday 29 August.

The Kenelm Youth Trust (KYT) invites young adults across the Archdiocese to join Adorare next month.

An opportunity to hear testimonies from young adults, moments for prayer, time for reflection and a shared meal.

Registration now open.

Live out your faith through service: Could you be a Foundation Governor or Director?

Invitation from Archbishop Bernard

The Archdiocese of Birmingham has 236 Catholic schools and 16 Multi-Academy Companies, all in need of Foundation Governors and Directors.

We are seeking practising Catholics to help shape the future of Catholic education by supporting and challenging school leaders, and upholding the Archbishop’s vision.

Watch a video to hear from Archbishop Bernard, school leaders, and current governors and directors about how rewarding the role can be.

Opportunities are available across the Archdiocese, and all skills and backgrounds are welcome.

Harvington Hall Pilgrimage - Please register your parish coach

The annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Shrine of the English Martyrs, Sunday 7 September

This year the principal celebrant will be Archbishop Bernard Longley.

Mass: 3pm

Confessions: 1.45pm – 2.30pm

It is essential that you bring your own chairs and packed lunch.

Parishes bringing a coach: it is essential we know if you intend to bring a coach.

Please e-mail stmary.harvington@rcaob.org.uk by Monday 25 August at the latest so that a parking place can be reserved for your coach.

This Saturday: Celebrate the Jubilee Year with the Kenelm Youth Trust (KYT)

Saturday 5 July 11.30am - 4.30pm. Come and join us at St Chad's Cathedral.

We will be joining together for a day to explore the theme of hope, the point of jubilee and the purpose of pilgrimage.

There will be activities and workshops for young people from different age ranges, with activities led by SVP (St Vincent de Paul Society), St Chad's volunteers, Kenelm Youth Trust and many more.

The guest speaker is Fr Frankie Mulgrew.

The day ends with the Diocesan Jubilee Mass for Young People with Bishop Timothy Menezes as the main celebrant and preacher.

This Saturday: Ethnic Chaplaincies Jubilee Year Pilgrimage

Honouring Our Lady of Evesham, Saturday 5 July

All welcome to join the Pilgrimage with Mass at 12noon.

At the Church of the Immaculate Conception & St Egwin, Evesham in Worcestershire, one of the pilgrimage churches in our Archdiocese.

Refreshments after Mass and a talk on the Evesham Apparition, followed by a visit to the site of the ruins of the Benedictine Abbey.

Next week: Join the North Staffs Eucharistic Congress

Thursday 10 - Saturday 12 July - “Come to the Eucharistic Heart”

What is a Eucharistic Congress? It is not just a conference, but it is an event in the life of the Church, and elements of the Congress will be taking place across the North Staffs Deanery.

The Congress will open on Thursday evening with a Deanery Station Mass, celebrated by His Grace Archbishop Bernard Longley, beginning at 7pm at Sacred Heart Church in Tunstall.

There will be representatives from all the schools in the Deanery, and as many parishioners as possible are also invited, so that this is a great celebration.

This Mass brings together the celebration of the Jubilee Year, the gift of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, as well as thanksgiving in the year of the centenary of the federation of the City of Stoke-on-Trent.

More events are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, including a Eucharistic Procession.

Please register your attendance for Saturday.

National Churches Trust Survey: Deadline extended to Sunday 13 July

The National Churches Trust (NCT), a major grant funder for places of worship, has launched a survey to better understand the challenges that churches face, and to highlight the vital work which our churches do.

This survey has the support of denominations, faith, and heritage groups across the country and we wish to encourage all churches throughout the Archdiocese of Birmingham to take part.

Your response will provide essential evidence to build a clearer picture – to tell a stronger, more informed story about your church, and others like it, so that NCT can try to address some of the biggest challenges facing churches and help ensure their future.

It’s really important that Catholic churches respond to this survey. Indeed the more of our churches which participate, the better. If we can show strong support for this survey, it may possibly also strengthen our case for grant funding support in the future.

Therefore, the more churches that take part, the more impactful it will be. The survey is live until Sunday 13 July.

All welcome: Mass for Children and Young People with special needs and disabilities

Saturday 12 July at St Thomas More, Sheldon.

11am followed by refreshments.

Support Sea Sunday, 13 July

A day when the Church prays for all those who live and work at sea, and for the ministry of Stella Maris, the Catholic Church's agency that looks after seafarers and fishers.

Please join in Sea Sunday in your parish and pray for seafarers, fishers and their families.

Stella Maris have produced a range of resources to help parishes celebrate Sea Sunday, including a parish resource booklet, a poster and an appeal talk.

Sponsorship and Partnership Opportunities with 3C’s Catholic Community Club Football Teams

3C’s football club, a long-established Catholic community football club currently based at John Henry Newman Catholic College in Chelmsley Wood, is seeking sponsorship and / or partnership opportunities to help fund new kits for the grassroots teams and support the ongoing mission to foster sportsmanship, teamwork and community spirit among young people.

The Club has 22 teams across all abilities, age groups, with boys and girls teams. There are approximately 250 players.

It has recently acquired Mackadown sports pitches (Mackadown Lane, Sheldon) as its new ‘home’. It will be fondly named the Arthur Farrell stadium in memory of the Catholic Irish man who founded the club in 1971.

The club's games and training sessions attract a wide local audience, offering a wonderful opportunity to strengthen ties between the parish and local Catholic sporting community.

If you can help please contact Connor Keenan at the club via connorkeenanlfc@gmail.com

Applications now open for the One Hope Academy

The OHP Academy is a six-month online worship school for aspiring worship leaders, musicians and songwriters who are seeking to deepen their relationship with Jesus while developing their practical gifting to serve within their local context.

One Hope Project has over a decade of experience in worship, songwriting and equipping others for ministry, rooted in a lifelong journey of following Christ.

We’re excited to be launching our fifth cohort this year, having already graduated over 70 participants from 13 countries worldwide.

Applications for the 2025/26 intake are now open.

Jobs and Volunteering

Opportunities with the Archdiocese and other organisations

Father Hudson’s Caritas provides social care throughout the Archdiocese.

A number of roles are currently available including:

Family Support Workers

Supervising Fostering Social Care Worker

Day Service Support Worker

Foster Carers

Relief Support Worker

The Ministry of Justice are recruiting for a RC Chaplain at HMP Hewell, Redditch.

Closing date: Friday 4 July.

Community Fundraiser - Aid to the Church in Need

Working from home, covering the Dioceses of Birmingham, Northampton, Hallam, Nottingham and Shrewsbury.

Full time/Permanent role to include evenings and weekends.

The post is to work in parishes, schools and the wider Christian community.

The post holder will be part of a thriving, positive Community Outreach team culture.

This post is ideal for a creative, enthusiastic fundraiser who is self-motivated, willing to learn from others and keen to make a real difference in the lives of suffering and persecuted Christians around the world.

Deadline for applications: Interviews will be held as suitable candidates are shortlisted, so please don’t delay.

Unlock an Extraordinary Opportunity with KYT's Mission Team!
Are you (or someone you know) aged 18–25 and ready to make a difference?

KYT's Mission Team invites you to embark on a journey of impact and transformation!

By joining the Mission Team, you’ll:

• Inspire young people through engaging retreats and youth ministry.
• Develop leadership and teamwork skills while growing in faith and sharing your faith with others.
• Be part of a dynamic team, exploring and developing your gifts.
• Gain nationally recognised qualifications in outdoor education.
• Build lifelong friendships and create unforgettable memories.
• Explore opportunities for apprenticeships and further study.
• Be a positive force for change in the lives of others.

This is your chance to be part of something truly meaningful. Whether it’s leading outdoor activities, empowering the next generation, or simply exploring your faith journey, there’s a place for you on the Mission Team.

Know a young person who might be interested? Please share this exciting opportunity with them and encourage them to apply today.

SVP Pilgrimage to Walsingham

Sunday 6 July

Join the St Vincent de Paul Society for a pilgrimage to Walsingham in this year of Jubilee.

A wonderful occasion to gather members from all across the Society, taking place on Sunday 6 July.

The day will include Mass, Anointing of the Sick and Benediction.

St Benedict Week

Saturday 5 - Sunday 13 July, Worth Abbey West Sussex

The Lay Community of St Benedict (LCSB) is hosting St Benedict Week for the third year running.

The highpoint of this year will be the celebration at Worth Abbey marking the 50th anniversary of the Church’s consecration, featuring a keynote talk by Abbot Primate Jeremias Schröder. There is still space for visitors who can email comms@lcsb.uk

In addition, there is an inspiring programme of talks, blogs, podcasts, and opportunities for prayer. On our website, we’re encouraging people to visit a Benedictine monastery to pray with their nearest monastic community.

This year also marks the 60th anniversary of Pope St Paul VI’s declaration of St Benedict as Patron of Europe, and we’ll be reflecting on what St Benedict’s message means for us today through contributions from Dr Charles Insley, Baroness Sheila Hollins, Dom David Foster, Dom Brendan Coffey, and many other Benedictine voices.

York and the North: Heartland of Faith and Hope

Booking now open for ACN Pilgrimage, Monday 21 - Saturday 26 July

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is inviting bookings for the July Pilgrimage.

York and Yorkshire are at the heart of the English story of Christianity and Catholicism. In exploring York and its surroundings towns: Ripon and Beverley, and the site of the Cistercian Monastery at Fountains we will deepen our understanding of why our faith had such deep roots in this area.

Society of St Gregory Annual Summer School 2025

30 July – 2 August

Liverpool Hope University. Jubilee 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope.

The theme of Jubilee and Hope will be reflected in our liturgies and music, providing us with an opportunity to reflect on what we have learned and to consider how we might take the message of hope back to our parish communities.

Keynote Speaker – David Wells, a pastoral leader and well known speaker encouraging and inspiring
people to share the joy of the gospel, through the lens of building parish life.

Director of Music – Martin Barry, a parish musician, composer and former Cathedral Director. He is
President of Universa Laus, the international study group for liturgical music.

We welcome both Residential and Day Delegates and Bursary Funding is available.

Pilgrimage of Reparation & Prayer for the Sanctity of Life

Saturday 2 August at Walsingham

All welcome to join the Pro Life Pilgrimage.

To be led by Rt Rev John Keenan, Bishop of Paisley.

To come together to make reparation for the sins against life; to intercede for a change of heart across every part of society; and to refresh ourselves in the peace and beauty of this Shrine, remembering Our Lady’s words, “All who come here will find help in their need”.

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